Chapter 14 ABCC

ERP Disadvantages

businesses have to re-engineer their old processes; ERPS can be expensive; controls must be implemented for data integrity/security; ERPS are difficult to modify/customize after fully implemented

Database Administrators (DBA)

categorize data requirements & create the database entities and models that ensure accurate/smooth-flowing info throughout a business (requires bachelors in CS/IT)

"Know the business"

common axiom for IT professionals

Middleware

computer programming/software that connects the components designed by an application architect

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

computer system development methodology that takes a minimalist approach, flexible to change, 'develop as you go'

Application Architects

design parts of apps like screen interfaces, middleware & programming infrastructure (requires bachelors in CS or CIS)

Network Administrators

directly responsible for the smooth operations/maintenance of the business' networks & networking technology, including hardware & software (requires a bachelors degree and specific training)

Object-Oriented Programming Language

encourages the programmer to re-use parts of an application like forms, programming modules and code

Actors

end-users that will be involved with a new system

Fleet Vehicles

groups of motor vehicles owned or leased by a business, government agency or other organization rather than an individual or family

Head Applications Developers

in charge of software application development teams that develop, design, program and test software applications, use SDLC and ULM (requires a bachelors in CIS)

Programming Infrastructure

includes the actual programming language components that make the app work

ERP Advantages

increase production, collaboration and efficiency by sharing info; revenue cycles and order tracking are more easily available which leads to better decision making; info can be more thoroughly analyzed

Steps for SDLC Development

initiation (high-level brainstorming); concept development (defines scope of project); planning; requirements (analyze current/potential problems); design (involves layout, starts looking like a computer system); development (combines subsystems & performs preliminary testing); testing/integration (makes sure it is ready and complete); implementation

IT offers broader opportunities throughout business because

it's relevant in every aspect of business today

Business Intelligence Analysts

make sense of an organization's data/info and present their findings to senior staff so they can make tactical/strategic decisions (bachelors CIS/data analysis)

Software Prototyping

methodology that creates software prototypes (incomplete versions) aka vaporware, flexible development and involves user input

SAP

originated in Germany, 5 men broke off of IBM and started their own ERP company

Senior Web Developers

prepare, plan and implement web-based software applications (bachelors in CS/CIS)

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

process for creating/altering computer apps through an approach that includes planning, system analysis, design, implementation and system maintenance

IT Departments

responsible for servicing/enhancing all computing, technical assets & intellectual property of a business organization

2 types of IT professionals

service and IT consulting

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

software system used to administer/organize all the computer resources and info for functional departments of a business to a centralized network. results in easier sharing and collaboration, but difficult to implement

Unified Modeling Language (UML)

the 'blueprint' for developing applications, includes a set of graphical notation techniques to create computer models and apps

4 Basic Steps in ULM

use case scenarios (says who can do what with the system); object oriented analysis (analyzes what a new system will need); object oriented design (takes OOA info and expands it to make implementation specifications); sequence diagrams (aka timing diagrams, visually represent should happen and in what order)

IT Auditors

aka senior IT auditors, make sure computing systems are being used within a given set of regulations and compliance issues (bachelors/masters in CIS or accounting)

Legacy System

already existing system, more difficult to deal with than just developing a new system because you have to keep it running

CIO (Chief Information Officer)

board-level head of an IT department within a business organization, normally reports to Chief Operations Officer or Chief Executive Officer. It is the highest-paying IT position in a business (requires an MBA)

IT Staff Consultants

bridge the gap between IT department & other departments/customers (bachelors in business)